Controversy erupts over reports of confiscated tampons

A DPS officer searches an spectators bag upon entering the Senate gallery. (Photo by Kolten Parker)

Update: DPS officials later said that jars with the suspected materials were not confiscated, rather discovered and disposed of.

AUSTIN — Department of Public Safety officers confirmed that “one jar suspected to contain urine, 18 jars suspected to contain feces and three bottles suspected to contain paint” were confiscated from people entering the Senate gallery Friday to watch the final debate on a controversial package of abortion restrictions.

Word spread on social media that DPS officers were confiscating tampons, sanitary napkins and other paper objects.

Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, communicated with the Senate’s staff sergeant to stop the confiscation, but not before hashtags like #tamponcalypse began circulating with posts.

Several items weren’t allowed through the checkpoints, after it was reported that demonstrators planned to throw things onto the Senate floor.

However, DPS officials said, people who hold concealed handgun licenses were expedited through and allowed to carry their firearms into the gallery, which is standing policy at the Capitol.

More than 40 state troopers are positioned in the gallery and working in shifts. The DPS confirmed one arrest had been made.

Carey Neal Dunn, 31, was arrested on charges of criminal trespass, failure to identify and resisting arrest and was taken to Travis County Jail.

The atmosphere in the Capitol was intense even before the Senate began debate on House Bill 2 about 2:30 p.m.

Danielle Wells, a spokesman for Planned Parenthood, called the large crowds in committee hearings and the viewing chambers over the past month “democracy in action.” She said the coalition of abortion-rights activists group — the people in orange — have worked closely with security.

For more info on the bill, check here. Senate rules can be found here.